Suicide Statistics for Youth

Youth Suicide Rates

Youth are among the highest risk populations for suicide. In Canada, suicide accounts for 24 percent of all deaths among 15 to 24 year olds and 16 percent among 16 to 44 year olds. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Canadians between the ages of 10 and 24. Adolescence is a time of dramatic change (Suicide and Youth — Canadian Mental Health Association Toronto).

Teens and suicide are more closely linked than adults might expect. In a survey of 15,000 grade 7 to 12 students in British Columbia, 34% knew of someone who had attempted or died by suicide; 16% had seriously considered suicide; 14% had made a suicide plan; 7% had made an attempt and 2% had required medical attention due to an attempt (ibid.)